Residents in a Pasadena neighborhood think the clinic should be placed somewhere else.

Some of the neighbors on Tuesday who stopped by Compass Pointe Crossing in Pasadena said they had just learned the building was going to be a methadone clinic. A petition drive was started in the hopes of getting the center to be put someplace else.

The clinic isn't open for business yet, and a stop-work order is causing further delays for the planned clinic.

Neighbors and some Anne Arundel County leaders said they were caught off guard when they learned late last week the Just a Little Help Substance Abuse Clinic was moving there.

"Personally, I don’t like it. I know the neighbors won’t like it -- a bunch of young kids here. They have a few other methadone clinics around and they have some problems with them, with the businesses," said neighbor Ken, who didn't share his last name.

Pasadena residents who live nearby have plenty of issues.

"The safety of our children and our neighbors -- there is a major school bus stop right there," resident Michael Virtue said.

Another concern is that there is no public transportation for those who need the services of the clinic.

Anne Arundel County spokesman Owen McEvoy said, "Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Shuh is committed to expanding treatment to combat this public health crisis. The best placement is in medical settings or commercial areas, not residential communities."

"I'm not against the treatment. I just think it’s an improper place to put it. There are other places this could be," Virtue said.

The WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team contacted Noel Smith, who will run the clinic. He's been a nurse since 1999.

"I have a strong passion for substance abuse care," Smith said.

He said 22 people from Pasadena have contacted him since Saturday and want to get on a methadone program in their community.

"People don't want it in their neighborhood, but the problem is in their neighborhood," Smith said.

The health department said under federal guidelines that no jurisdiction is informed prior to a substance abuse clinic opening.

A meeting is scheduled on the matter Wednesday evening.

The I-Team checked on the stop-work order. The county said the proper permits were not obtained and improvements were being done without county approval.